Balladoran to Eumungerie Sunday 18th October 2015

After an overnight stay at Mr Ralph Naden’s Balladoran Aboriginal Youth and Cultural Camp, the Coo-ee marchers had bacon and eggs for breakfast, before taking the opportunity to recreate the ‘sumptuous’ breakfast that the Coo-ees had at Balladoran on 11th October 1915, shown in this photograph from the Daily Telegraph.

Who wouldn’t be a recruit? Breakfast at Balladoran (Daily Telegraph 14/10/1915)

Coo-ee marchers breakfast scene at Balladoran

The Coo-ee marchers left Balladoran at 8 am, and experienced warm weather, and ‘dust and flies’, just like the Coo-ees did in 1915.

The Coo-ee marchers leaving Balladoran

They arrived at Eumungerie about 11.30 am, where they were greeted by members of the local community at the Eumungerie-Coboco Memorial Hall.

The Coo-ee marchers then went to the Eumungerie-Coboco RSL War Memorial for a commemorative service with local RSL Sub-Branch members, and members of the local community.

Graham Greenleaf, a grandson of Leslie Greenleaf who lived at Eumungerie when he joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra in 1915, gave a speech about his grandfather, including how he had felt when he had been presented with a wristwatch by the local people of Eumungerie when the Coo-ees stayed there overnight on 11th October 1915.

Graham Greenleaf speaking at the Eumungerie service

A new plaque was unveiled at the War Memorial, in memory of the Coo-ee March. The Reverend Graeme Yager, from St Ambrose Church in Gilgandra, who is one of the Coo-ee marchers, blessed the new plaque.

The new Cooee March Centenary plaque at Eumungerie-Coboco RSL War Memorial

The Coo-ee marchers then had lunch at the Drovers Dog Hotel, before spending the night at the Eumungerie-Coboco Memorial Hall.

One response to “Balladoran to Eumungerie Sunday 18th October 2015”

Hi Helen Thanks for this great summary and the photos (loved the breakfast recreation) this is a great way to track their progress-I’m going to really enjoy reading your blog, particularly getting glimpses of my brother Alan-please say hi to Alan Smith from his sister Robyn. Keep up the great work Robyn Sent from my iPhone